• Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: May 10, 2011
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 258 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 25 out of 258
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  1. Sep 9, 2023
    10
    Easily one of the greatest albums ever made. Its genre-defying, dark and very intriguing to this day.
  2. Apr 8, 2022
    7
    This album is a logical continuation of Bastard album with better instrumentals and bits. You can listen that in 2022 and think it was made several years ago
  3. Aug 26, 2021
    7
    great story and amazing album though not many standout songs, and feels week in comparison to bastard
  4. Jun 18, 2021
    9
    A dark, captivating album that really shocks you - Tyler perfectly creates this atmosphere that reels you in, each song more shocking than the next. Solid album.
  5. Sep 26, 2020
    10
    He tell a history
    I even use this album to sleep and and i think this album revealed my homosexuality and i really can't explain why i love this album, cool album.
  6. Jul 23, 2020
    7
    Tyler acts full on demon and I love it. Definitely some fluff in there, but its not too much of a problem. Very uncomfortable, but it's supposed to be.
  7. May 22, 2019
    9
    An album that can be tough to digest at first, due to its dark beats and at times twisted lyrics. Once passed that, the greatness of the album can be seen. Tyler can be very aggressive and dark at times in the lyrics, but the album is masterfully written once one looks past the attention grabbing, horrror core lines. He weaves a fantastic story between this album, Wolf, and Bastard. TheAn album that can be tough to digest at first, due to its dark beats and at times twisted lyrics. Once passed that, the greatness of the album can be seen. Tyler can be very aggressive and dark at times in the lyrics, but the album is masterfully written once one looks past the attention grabbing, horrror core lines. He weaves a fantastic story between this album, Wolf, and Bastard. The story being told along with the excellent and unique production, and not to mention Tyler's born-to-be-a-rapper voice, and you get one of the best debut rap albums out there. Expand
  8. May 18, 2019
    10
    My personal favourite tyler's album, i loved wolf a lot but this one is just amazing, that's why i was really dissapointed with flower boy, i hated the wholesome vibe, and wanted more edgy and dark tyler
  9. Mar 11, 2017
    8
    Both Goblin and WOLF are fantastic albums. However, I enjoyed WOLF a bit more, it had more OFWGKTA tracks and fewer themes of rape and killing. I think the reason for all the low rating on this album are because people hold Tyler's albums too high of a standard mainly because they assume that because Tyler's seen as the leader of OFWGKTA he should have better music than Frank Ocean andBoth Goblin and WOLF are fantastic albums. However, I enjoyed WOLF a bit more, it had more OFWGKTA tracks and fewer themes of rape and killing. I think the reason for all the low rating on this album are because people hold Tyler's albums too high of a standard mainly because they assume that because Tyler's seen as the leader of OFWGKTA he should have better music than Frank Ocean and Earl Sweatshirt. He is much different musically. Expand
  10. Aug 9, 2016
    10
    This is a great album for a party containing both emo white kids and gang member black kids, so whenever i was in the hood and got funny looks, I would play this album and they'd ignore me, and when I'm surrounded by weird emo kids with weird hair I would play this album and they too would ignore me. A truly gifting album.
  11. Aug 22, 2014
    10
    Must be understood in the context of Tyler's musical inspiration, such as surrealist rapper MF DOOM, who puts himself into absurd situations - only Tyler does the same with intentional meaning. Look beyond whatever potential so-called "shock value" there is.
  12. Nov 1, 2013
    8
    This a very inventive rap album from the underground. A very unique follow up to the great "Bastard", with it's cool flow and the genuine humor showed in the lyrics. My favorites off of this great album are "Yonkers" and "Sandwiches". The beats are better from the ones in "Bastard". This isn't an album for the easily offended, as it is quite dark. But, this album is strangely compellingThis a very inventive rap album from the underground. A very unique follow up to the great "Bastard", with it's cool flow and the genuine humor showed in the lyrics. My favorites off of this great album are "Yonkers" and "Sandwiches". The beats are better from the ones in "Bastard". This isn't an album for the easily offended, as it is quite dark. But, this album is strangely compelling for the listener and does have a message. Definitely worth a listen. Odd future is the Expand
  13. Oct 6, 2013
    10
    The way he tells this story of himself (Tyler) and his split personality (Wolf Haley) is pure genius and should go down in history of story telling in rap. Also a rap album without purely songs about weed and is always nice.
  14. Mar 30, 2013
    7
    this album is mostly just ok songs that try to be funny, but there are a few songs that Tyler actually tried on. and they're really good. she is practically perfect
  15. Dec 9, 2012
    7
    The sequel to the excellent album Bastard has very similar production and rapping like on Bastard. Tyler is still talking to his therapist Dr. TC and stills talks about rape just like on his first album. However, Goblin is to me is seen as the not as good version. The production on some songs is crappy and in some songs it sounds like Tyler is just talking about random things, but on theThe sequel to the excellent album Bastard has very similar production and rapping like on Bastard. Tyler is still talking to his therapist Dr. TC and stills talks about rape just like on his first album. However, Goblin is to me is seen as the not as good version. The production on some songs is crappy and in some songs it sounds like Tyler is just talking about random things, but on the other hand Tyler has shown his skills as a producer and a rapper. Songs like Yonkers showed good production and insane rapping. For the most part, Goblin was a pretty good sequel to Bastard. Expand
  16. Feb 8, 2012
    7
    No where near as good as Bastard, Tyler's first mixtape which you could basically say was an album also. There is nothing better than the introspective nature of tyler, the creator's music, you absolutely feel the emotion he is putting through in songs like the opener goblin and she. The genius in tyler is shown in songs like yonkers, tron cat, and nightmare. And the odd future anthem isNo where near as good as Bastard, Tyler's first mixtape which you could basically say was an album also. There is nothing better than the introspective nature of tyler, the creator's music, you absolutely feel the emotion he is putting through in songs like the opener goblin and she. The genius in tyler is shown in songs like yonkers, tron cat, and nightmare. And the odd future anthem is nothing other than Radicals! One of the more interesting albums of 2011. Expand
  17. Feb 5, 2012
    8
    If you liked Bastard , you'll like Goblin.This is just like anything else you expect from Tyler.The instrumentals on this album are mostly all better than the ones on Bastard, Which is saying a lot.
  18. Feb 4, 2012
    8
    I respect Tyler alot for his hard work and the movement behind odd future & the alternative hip-hop genre. He took the genre where no one took it before. And thats why i respect him alot. Keep it up
  19. Jan 12, 2012
    8
    This is a good album. Why? It is one of my most original rap albums I've heard in years. Tyler is a different artist. Rap is infested now with stoner rap and Tyler doesn't do that(most of the time) This is the album that made him big and with Wolf, bigger.
  20. Jan 8, 2012
    8
    You do not expect a polite language from a rapper but Rape a pregnant **** and tell my friends I had a threesome line is pretty hardcore. Goblin, the second LP by Tyler, The Creator (the leader of OFWGKTA, the alternative hip hop collective), is full of venom, (self-)hatred and frustration. Lyrics of ****es giving blow jobs and killing various individuals like stabbing Bruno Mars in hisYou do not expect a polite language from a rapper but Rape a pregnant **** and tell my friends I had a threesome line is pretty hardcore. Goblin, the second LP by Tyler, The Creator (the leader of OFWGKTA, the alternative hip hop collective), is full of venom, (self-)hatred and frustration. Lyrics of ****es giving blow jobs and killing various individuals like stabbing Bruno Mars in his esophagus are as common as hunger in North Korea. Tyler raps over some spendid beats and drumming and does not spare anyone. The opening Goblin is pitiless but demands another listen. Transylvania sounds as if it had been produced by Count Dracula himself. Meanwhile, AU79 is a great instrumental interlude. And I do not have to introduce Yonkers, one of the key black music songs of the last 12 months. This album is dark and depressive but also weirdly enjoyable. Homophobic? Yes. Misogynic? Yes, sir. Very good? You should check for yourself. Expand
  21. Oct 29, 2011
    10
    A creation of pure genius. If you listen to the lyrics and the message Tyler sends, it is not for the weak, but it is a strong message opposing government, injustice, and the common word.
  22. Oct 29, 2011
    10
    This album is a masterpiece. As another kid from LA that grew up poor i can relate to OFWGKTA. If you are some rich ass republican from Connecticut then you will obviously not understand this music because most of the topics are discussed at your dispense. Their music is stellar and many ignorant listeners will probably not pick up on all of the subtle messages. If you like hip hop thenThis album is a masterpiece. As another kid from LA that grew up poor i can relate to OFWGKTA. If you are some rich ass republican from Connecticut then you will obviously not understand this music because most of the topics are discussed at your dispense. Their music is stellar and many ignorant listeners will probably not pick up on all of the subtle messages. If you like hip hop then you should like this album because it really could not have been more perfect. Expand
  23. Oct 28, 2011
    8
    You have to listen to this a few times to figure out the true genius in the album. It plays out like an amazing horror movie, with amazing lyricism, but some sketchy spots keeps it slightly down.
  24. Sep 28, 2011
    10
    This guy is one of the most lyricall guys out in the game rite now and has a odd twist and rare flavor to his music but, he has a sound that now a days people search for in the hiphop world and just say wow!, thats different but its good. Dispite his lazy effort and **** atitude this guy lives his life how ever he feels at the time in and out the studio.
  25. Sep 4, 2011
    9
    Fresh, original and vicious. Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All have burst into our consciousness, and their fanbase is growing and growing by the day. Tyler's second album is just as brilliant as ever, despite being peppered with complaints about the fame thats been thrust upon him. Not for the easily offended, and probably not for Bruno Mars fans either.
  26. Sep 4, 2011
    7
    This album is creative and original, but not better than his first album, Bastard. Bastard wasn't as personal, it was more of fantasies and storytelling. Goblin was more personal, but it was still a good album. Au79 shows how Tyler is talented at producing. Yonkers is a gem along with She where Frank Ocean raps and sings, the man is awesome. Nightmare started off good but ended with theThis album is creative and original, but not better than his first album, Bastard. Bastard wasn't as personal, it was more of fantasies and storytelling. Goblin was more personal, but it was still a good album. Au79 shows how Tyler is talented at producing. Yonkers is a gem along with She where Frank Ocean raps and sings, the man is awesome. Nightmare started off good but ended with the typical **** you" statements. Radials though was very different and awesome. Transylvania was creative with Dracula's sexual point-of-view. Sandwitches was a great "don't give a **** track and the rest were descent. Expand
  27. Sep 2, 2011
    9
    I really did not wanna listen to this album, I was convinced this is a rapper who feels himself way too much, uses beef to get known and would be trash. But after listening to his album he is just mis understood. He hates the dumb downed music which is now selling and he's trying to change that. "Goblin" is a great album, unlike many artist who get noticed Tyler did not go commercial atI really did not wanna listen to this album, I was convinced this is a rapper who feels himself way too much, uses beef to get known and would be trash. But after listening to his album he is just mis understood. He hates the dumb downed music which is now selling and he's trying to change that. "Goblin" is a great album, unlike many artist who get noticed Tyler did not go commercial at all on this album. His lyrics were phenomenal, he never tried to be someone that he is not. To me he is a little like Eminem when he first started. This is by far one of the best rap albums of they year. If it was a little less **** the world" then I would give the album a perfect 10 but its still a great album. Expand
  28. Jul 22, 2011
    9
    One of the best album of the year. Underground hip hop music is always the best hip hop and Tyler proves that. This album is on of the best hip hop album in a while and one of the best abums of the year. EVery track on the album is something special. Other people may argue that there is too much profanity in this album and other may get offending by this album . This album isn't for peopleOne of the best album of the year. Underground hip hop music is always the best hip hop and Tyler proves that. This album is on of the best hip hop album in a while and one of the best abums of the year. EVery track on the album is something special. Other people may argue that there is too much profanity in this album and other may get offending by this album . This album isn't for people that is uptight if you not up tight then you could give this album a shot . If you are very religion pleas don't listen to this album because he take a lot of shot at god. Tyler the creator is a very good producer one of the best producer and director. The song Yonker is a very brilliant song and video. Most of the songs on the album is Hardcore Rap and Alternative Hip Hop. If you love hip hop music then i don't see o you cant love this album. I love the style of this album. Some of the songs seem like a movie. The songs tell stories. This is a album to get. I think hip hop fans and also fans of good music should give this artist a chance , maybe you will love it. I heard one song and i started to love this artist. OFWGKTA has a bright future ahead of them. Expand
  29. Jun 6, 2011
    9
    Easily the best rap album of the year and completely blows bastard out of the water, the only song I can't stand on the album is BDS, that's the only compaint I have about it, amazing album.
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 37
  2. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. Mojo
    Dec 12, 2011
    60
    Irksome and intriguing, compelling and calculated, Goblin confounds at every turn. [Aug. 2011, p. 104]
  2. Sep 20, 2011
    80
    This album then delivers anger, honesty and arrogance, all in sporadic scatter-gun fashion: the overriding feeling is confused, uncertain, often unreasonable, but ultimately well intentioned.
  3. The Wire
    Aug 17, 2011
    60
    It's a shame that the the young skate rat seems to be so caught up in his own hype, as beneath the bluster and amped-up angst, there is something interesting going on. [Jul 2011, p.54]